A plan to build low-income houses for veterans in Poway has been in the works for more than two years. But it is now facing a delay due to resident and city council concerns.
The $8.4 million project is the brainchild of Habitat for Humanity. Twenty-six homes would be built on a two acre plot of land on Twin Peaks Road just west of Espola Road.
The average monthly cost for homeowners would be approximately $1200.
According to Habitat for Humanity, there is already a waiting list of 100 veterans.
One of them is Army and Navy veteran Frederick Gantt.
“It can be frustrating when you have to pay a certain amount of money for rent, and then an option comes where that can be reduced, which can mean a better situation for your family,” Gantt said.
But residents in Poway have expressed concerns with the project. At a recent city council meeting, about 50 people voiced opposition to the project. Among the concerns are traffic, parking, potential crime and a potential decrease in property value.
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Poway Mayor Steve Vaus said he wants to make sure any contract language in the project insures it will, indeed, be for only for veterans.
“We made a promise to veterans that this was going be exclusively for them and I'm gonna make sure we keep that promise,” Vaus said.
There are also concerns about how the development would be managed, although a Habitat for Humanity spokesperson said it would be professionally managed.
On Friday, Vaus met with Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Lori Holt Pfeiler. Both say they’re confident the project will move forward.
Vaus is hoping to break ground by 2017.
A community meeting to discuss the project is planned for August 16 at Poway City Hall.
